RESEARCH departments at the University of Surrey are the latest victims of Government funding cuts, it was revealed this week.

The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) has said the university (UniS) will receive a reduced and lower than expected amount for research funding this year.

Although funding for 2003-4 has increased by 0.85% over last year – from £14,179,884 to £14,300,694 – inflation means it is actually a 1.37% cut in real terms. UniS is one of around 50 higher education institutions affected.

A spokesman said the campus had expected research funding for the three departments which have the highest grading for excellence – but just one of these departments will receive a higher grant.

The vice-chancellor, Prof Patrick Dowling, said UniS has invested greatly in building its research capability and is renowned globally for its research excellence.

“Last year we saw one of the highest research funding increases in the country based on that excellence,” he said.

“Whilst our best departments have been victims of the process, we are proud of the great research being done here in Surrey and will continue to encourage and support this,” he added.

The Shadow Education Secretary, Damian Green, said the Government has decided to concentrate research money on a small number of large institutions.

“There is a clear long-term threat to all other universities who will find it more difficult to attract the top brains in their field,” he said.

“In the row over top-up fees, this cut-back has been overlooked.

“But it clearly is potentially very damaging for the University of Surrey.”